Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 27 – Truth Revealed
'Come on Harry, it wont be that bad, I was only joking last night.' Hermione told Harry seriously, although the amused smile on her face told Harry differently. He ducked his head under his pillow and started mumbling to himself.
'Harry, if you don't come, my father will just probably come after you.' Harry's head shot up from under his pillow.
'Your father is a madman. Look, cant you just go and tell them that I didn't want to die and that I'll talk to them later.' Harry then threw himself back under the covers and started building a little fort.
Hermione was having none of it and waved her staff making all the covers and sheets on the bed fly off and reveal Harry on his knees bent down with the pillow thrown over his head protectively.
'Fine, I'll come.' He said shortly, throwing the pillow off himself and making his way to the bathroom, being watched all the way by a smirking Hermione.
'I'll go and ask for professor Dumbledore's permission, then when I come back you better be ready.' She shouted out, only getting a somewhat girlish scream as Harry obviously turned on the cold tap instead of the hot.
Hermione giggled to herself and apparated to the stone gargoyle and started saying as many lollies as she could wondering what the password to Dumbledore's office could be when it finally moved after she guessed Skittles.
Making her way up the stairs in a happy mood she knocked on the door.
'Enter Miss Granger.' Dumbledore's muffled voice said through the doors.
'Good morning professor.' Hermione said cheerfully, noticing that Dumbledore was in muggle shorts and t-shirt, his old frail form and pale skin a shocking contrast to his Hawaiian shirt and purple shorts.
'Ah, professor, why are you dressed like that?'
'What? Isn't this how muggles dress today? My brother and I are going to Australia to watch the Boxing Day Cricket Test Match. I can't wait, is there anything I can do for you Miss Granger?' Dumbledore asked preoccupied, as he shoved sunscreen and hats into a little backpack.
'Umm, yes, there is sir, I was wondering if Harry and I could visit my parents today?' Hermione asked hesitantly. Dumbledore straightened and looked thoughtful.
'I don't see why not Miss Granger, from what I've heard, Voldemort is planning something, spies are telling me that his forces are gathering for one giant attack. My only guess is that he is coming for Hogwarts. But he won't be coming today, go, relax with your family. Cherish the now. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get my miniature bat, I'm hoping to get Steve Waugh's autograph. Have fun Miss Granger.'
'You too sir.' Hermione said as she left the office waiting till she was off the stairs to Apparate back to her room, arriving just in time to see Harry pulling his faded jeans up. She gave a wolf whistle and moved forward to wrap her arms around Harry's bare waist.
'What did Dumbledore say?' Harry asked as he pulled on a green striped polo shirt.
'Harry its December, you'll freeze if you wear that outside.' Hermione shrieked when she saw that Harry wasn't planning on putting anything else on. Harry just tapped his nose and asked his question again as he put on a pair of his sneakers.
'He said it was fine, he is also going away to watch Cricket in Australia, no it's alright.' She said quickly when she saw Harry get up to walk around worriedly. 'He also said that he doesn't expect an attack and that we can afford to have a day off.'
'Yeah, I s'pose your right come on lets go see what your father has got in store for me.' Harry then called for his staff and then the two Elementals made their way to Hermione's house. They opened the door and Hermione called out.
'Mum, dad, me and Harry are here.' As soon as she finished saying this, thunderous footsteps could be heard from the floor above. The footsteps got louder and it sounded as though the person was running.
Then Harry saw it, a pair of shiny boots at the top of the stairs. He knew those boots.
'I'LL KILL HIM, I'LL KILL HIM.' Harry knew that voice too. He cringed as he saw Phil Grangers red flaming face appear, his hazel eyes burning as they looked straight into Harry's.
'Oh bugger.' Harry muttered before he ran away from the mad father waving a pool cue around his head like a maniac.
'Come back and fight you little bastard. I warned you and what do you do, exactly what I knew you would. Ah shit.' Phil Granger cursed out as he swinged at Harry and missed, his pool stick colliding with one of Barbara Granger's favourite vases.
'Now look what you've done.' He roared at Harry.
'Me? You're the one swinging that thing like a lunatic.' Harry retorted with a ludicrous look on his face.
'You cheeky little sod.' Phil Granger yelled. 'Coco, get him Coco, attack his heels.' Hermione's dad yelled at the little Chow Chow at Harry's feet who looked up at Harry with uninterested eyes and trotted over to her bed by the fire.
'TRAITOR.'
'DAD! What are you doing?' Hermione screamed angrily.
'Teaching this boy a lesson. Stay still will you?' He swung again just as Harry ducked. The frightened elemental than took his chance and raced away and hid behind Hermione and her mother.
'Oh that's right, hide behind the skirts come out and take your medicine like a man.'
'There not wearing any skirts and I'm not sick.' Harry shouted over Hermione's shoulder before he hid back down.
'Oh a smart arse ey?'
'Phil Granger, you stop this childish act right NOW.' Barbara Granger shouted warningly, smiling triumphantly as she saw her husband lower the pool stick slowly. She bent over and whispered into Hermione's ear.
'Remember dear, you're the boss, what you say goes. Always be firm when they act like this.' This statement didn't only reach Hermione's ear.
'HEY!' Harry and Phil shouted at the same time, sharing a look that put them on the same side for a tiny fraction of a second.
'Thanks mum, I'll remember that.' Hermione said glaring at Harry.
'Hey, why are you looking at me like that? He started it, I didn't even do anything, all of a sudden there's this wild apeman attacking me with a stick, what am I supposed to do?' Dodging at the end of his sentence as Phil Granger tried to secretly hit him on the back of his head with the pool cue.
'And what do you mean you'll remember that? You don't think I'm going to go ballistic like your father when we have kids do you?' Harry asked as he followed Hermione and her mother into the dining room where a mouth watering feast was waiting for them on the table.
'Harry, can you honestly tell me that you wouldn't do what my dad just did to you if a boy broke your daughter's heart?' Hermione asked softly.
'No, I suppose your right.' He sighed and looked at Mr Granger who was still holding his pool cue like a cave man would hold a club. 'I'm sorry Mr Granger, I didn't mean to hurt Hermione but… I only did what I did so she could live.' Harry cast his eyes downward and stared at his shoes.
'Yes, Hermione told us what you did for her and for that I want to thank you.' Phil then surprised Harry by offering out his hand, which Harry gladly took, smiling as Phil dropped the pool cue on the floor.
'Err, I don't suppose you could fix Barb's vase?' He asked sheepishly.
'Not a problem.' Harry said and then waved his hand and all the broken pieces of the vase flew back together and set itself back on its stand, good as new.
Mrs Granger then thanked Harry and greeted him properly by giving him a hug and then apologising for her husband's earlier behaviour.
Harry had just sat down and was about to accept the peas off Hermione when he and everyone else felt the house shake.
'Oh good lord, what's that?' Barbara Granger asked worriedly as the house shook again. Harry got up and with a straight back walked over to the front window, pushing aside the curtain he looked out onto the Granger's front lawn. Turning his blazing eyes back on Hermione he shouted.
'Death Eaters, get your mum and dad upstairs and protect them.'
'What about you? I'm not losing you again Harry.' Hermione shouted back angrily as she pushed her mother and father up the stairs.
'Don't worry Mione.' Talking to his fiancé and also calling for his staff. 'Its time Voldemort found out just what the new Harry Potter can do.' His eyes then changed to his Elemental colours and he transformed his clothes into his fighting gear. Noticing that Hermione was still at the bottom of the stairs looking at him with tearful eyes, he strode across and kissed her quickly on the lips, he pulled back and stared directly into her eyes.
'Go, protect your parents… go Hermione.' He then turned around quickly and blew open the front door with a white beam from his staff. He then charged out onto the lawn and met the intruders who all stopped firing curses at the house to stare at him.
'Who is leading this little escapade?' Harry said coldly, his glowing eyes searching the Death Eaters, counting numbers as he did.
/ Harry, there are some Death Eaters around the back. / Hermione said anxiously through their link.
/ Alright Hermione, do you think you can take a few of them down? It would certainly help me a lot. / Harry sent back.
/ Why? How many are out there/ Hermione asked.
/ About 50, but from what I can feel, there are only 10 of them that have any real power. /
/ Be careful Harry. /
/ You too my love. / Harry then cut off their connection and cast an anti apparition and anti portkey dome around the Granger's property, he then turned his attention back on the field of Death Eaters.
'No one answered me, I asked who is in charge here.' Harry didn't wait for an answer, knowing he wouldn't get one and shot a black curse right into the head of the nearest Death Eater, who screamed in pain as he fell to the ground, thrashing around uncontrollably. Harry finally lifted the curse and sneered up at the group before him. The spell he just used was sort of like the Legillemency spell, only instead of the victim getting his thoughts sifted smoothly it felt as though their whole brain was being picked at, piece by piece by imaginary tweezers, pulling until they finally found what they were looking for.
'Finitus Trollem.' He shouted, watching to see if his spell had affected anyone who was under the Imperius Curse. Four people at the back stumbled and looked around, terrified to see that they were dressed as Death Eaters. Harry quickly stupefied them and made it look as though they were just the first victims of his assault.
'So Macnair… thought you could be a leader did you? What did you have to do to get this job? Spit shine Voldemort's boots.' He grinned wolfishly as the Death Eaters shuddered at their own master's name.
'Although why Voldemort choose you over Rodulphus and Rebastian is quite a wonder, tell me Rodulphus, where is your lovely wife… At home pleasing you master no doubt.' Harry whispered the last part teasingly, trying to force one of the leaders to show himself, he was unlucky though, only a foolish little boy came forward.
'Potter.' He whispered icily. Harry knew that voice, it was then that he also spotted what the boy was carrying at his side. A sword made of Shadow.
'Draco. You have no idea what you have just done.' Harry then made the sword that Draco was holding explode, shattering the young Malfoy heirs hand all the way up to the elbow. The screams and shrieks of Malfoy echoed around the quite muggle neighbourhood, shattering the deathly silence.
The fight was on. Curses flew at Harry from every direction, which made the Elemental raise a shield hurriedly, stumbling at the force of the curses that hit his shield. The barrage stopped and he looked up, a mock surprise look set on his features.
'What no Unforgivables?' He taunted darkly. He then threw up some advanced muggle repelling charms and called for his guardians.
'Death Eaters. I would like you to meet my new friends.'
Vakira, Solus, remember fellas, play hard and play fair. Ah, bugger it just play hard.' Harry then charged into battle with his two massive guardians at his side. He weaved and dodged the few curses that made it past his guardians and came his way, all the while throwing his own curses that he had learnt thanks to his new powers.
Waving his staff and watching as a shadowy mist came out he sent a gust of wind and watched as the mist flew at two Death Eaters who were shooting spells at Vakira. The mist shrouded the man and the woman, for they were a man and a woman… That's if the screams were anything to go by, for the mist as soon as it touched its victims skin became alive and let loose a mysterious force, Harry didn't know what it was, he assumed it was some sort of animal if the remains of the body's were anything to go by, he kicked away an arm and fired a light curse at the nearest Death Eater, exploding him inside out as the heat from the curse boiled his insides before he went off like a Volcano.
He looked around and saw that both Vakira and Solus were holding their own. Solus was swiping and snapping at anyone one they came near him with his talons and beak, crushing and decapitating people with ease as he showed his brute strength. Vakira though, was taking a different approach. He used his incredible speed and stealth and snuck up on his opponents and used his most lethal weapon. He sucked in a big breath of air and then released it, sending out a disease of his own that pealed the body of its limbs, one by one. It was one of the favourites of the sadistic feline.
'Voulon Surtin' Harry shouted, waving his staff in an ark and taking out three Death Eaters with a blast of acidic water.
/ Harry, there's too many out the back, there started to burn the house down. / Hermione's voice yelled hysterically in his mind. Harry cursed out loud.
Vakira, Solus, go round the back and help Hermione. Harry shouted to his guardians who left without another word.
'Sansuris.' A voice behind him shouted and Harry ducked just in time to see the miniature Cruciatus Curse fly over his head. Turning nimbly he saw Malfoy making his way over to him staggeringly, holding his butchered arm carefully.
'Malfoy. What, not big enough to use curses like the big boys ey?' Harry sneered dominantly. His sneer turned into a grimace of pain and then a shout as he fell to the ground. Hit from behind with Cruciatus curse is not pleasant, he endured the pain and the curse was finally lifted.
Harry shakily got to his feet to see that he was surrounded by a circle of 7 Death Eaters. Malfoy, Macnair and Rodulphus being the only ones he noticed. That left 4 unknowns, probably rookies, Harry deduced wrongly. He didn't know there was another Death Eater in the circle who was stronger than the rest put together.
'Where did your pets go Potter, off to save the MudBlood and the muggles? I think you'll find there too late.' Draco tried to threaten imperiously but it was ruined as Harry heard screams of terror from the back, obviously belonging to the Death Eaters who were trying to escape.
He laughed darkly, making two of the Death Eaters shuffle on the spot. Harry raised his staff and blew them back using fire. The flames engulfed the two and soon they were screaming for mercy, but Harry didn't have time to give it as he was hit by an Imperius Curse once again in the back.
Hello Potter. A voice whispered in his head.
Snape. Harry growled dangerously.
Very good Potter. I see you're not so stupid after all. Snape said coolly.
Harry tried to break the curse but he couldn't.
Ready to say good bye to your girlfriend Potter. Snape taunted.
You touch her Snape and you'll die a very painful death. Harry yelled through his mind.
You can't touch me Potter. I have powers like you, the Dark Lord granted them to me, for proving his loyalty to him.
What are you talking about Snape? Harry asked, trying to keep the sense of foreboding out of his voice but failed.
Oh don't tell me you didn't notice, I thought you would have caught on after the incident with that little Cenius brat.
You killed him. Harry spat.
Yes Potter and after that the Dark Lord did just what you did for that Mud Blood. That's right Potter I control the Shadow Element as well. And now I am going to kill you with them. Farewell Potter, don't worry, your Mud Blood girlfriend of yours will be with you soon, that is after Draco's had his way with her, little shit has always had a thing for the bookworm. Harry, then watched from the back of his mind as Snape produced a scimitar from his staff that just appeared beside him, making Harry's eyes widen in shock.
The sword then came down in a slow ark, right for Harry head. It was then that Harry moved. Breaking the connection with his Dark Elemental abilities he grabbed Snape's hand and smiled evilly, his eyes choosing this time to glow fiercer, he waved his hand and immediately a sword of his own was there, this time it was made from a blinding element.
'Enjoy Hell Snape.' Harry then shoved his sword right onto the gut of Severus Snape's stomach and let it stay there as the Potion Master continued to fall back, his black beetle eyes behind his mask was shining brightly as hit the ground. Harry moved and stood over him, he pulled out his sword and flicked Snape's mask off with it. He then knelt down, and stayed there over Snape's head, knowing in himself as he watched Snape's eyes flutter shut that the last thing the man had seen was his killer's eyes.
Gingerly he got up and noticed that he was bleeding, he looked around and saw that both his Guardians and the Granger's were out on the lawn looking at him. Harry moved over first to Vakira and Solus and patted them both on the heads.
Go home my friends. Go and rest. He said tiredly.
As you wish master. The two magical guardians replied, bowing before they vanished into his staff. Harry then turned and looked at Hermione hopelessly. She immediately ran forward and hugged him furiously, not even bothering that she was getting blood all over her.
'We were right. We were always right. He was always on Voldemorts side Hermione.' Harry said angrily, he swiped at his eyes that were leaking a few tears, for what he didn't know.
'I'll call Dumbledore, you go inside and clean up.' Hermione said gently.
'Where did the others go? Malfoy and Macnair?'
'They ran when they saw you kill Snape, they apparated away as soon as they were far enough away from your wards… Are you alright Harry?' Hermione asked worriedly as she led Harry into the house.
'Yes, of course. Are you? What about your parents?' He asked quickly looking back over his shoulder at Phil and Barbara.
'Were fine Harry, a little bit shaken up but that's all, Hermione protected us just like you told her too.' Barbara said proudly, still looking deathly white.
'Go on Harry, the bathroom is upstairs, first door on your left. You wash yourself up and I'll get Dumb-, oh no, Dumbledore's not here is he, I completely forgot.' Hermione gasped, sounding distressed.
'Just get McGonagall and she can bring Kingsley and Hagrid, also bring Flitwick with you, he has a right to know who killed his nephew.' Harry said soberly.
The Granger's then watched Harry trudge up the stairs and heard the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing.
'He slaughtered them all.' Phil Granger said softly.
'He was protecting us dad.' Hermione said, standing up for her fiancé.
'I know sweetie, I know. I wasn't having a go at him. In fact I'm proud of you both. You saved your mother and me.'
'Oh no, it was Harry and his guardians, I didn't do anything.'
'Nonsense Hermione, those men would have burnt the house down if it wasn't for you.' Barbara said determinedly.
'Thanks mum, dad. Anyway, I better be going, I need to get the professors over here. I won't be a minute.' She then dissaparated to Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, in the Granger's bathroom, Harry was standing in the shower letting the hot spray cascade over his body like a waterfall, cleansing him from all the blood that had spilled from his cuts and scrapes.
With his eyes closed his mind showed him replay after replay of Snape's final moments. The look of hatred that even stayed in those depthless eyes till the instant he died.
Harry really didn't know how to feel. This man was one of those faceless, nameless Death Eaters that he was use to fighting and killing. This was someone he knew, someone who he thought was on his side… he was wrong.
He turned the taps off and pulled his clothes back on, the ones that he had started the day with and walked back down the stairs to the lounge room, where he saw all the people he sent Hermione to get waiting for him.
When they noticed he was there, Hermione straight away got up and clasped her hand in his.
'Mr Potter.' Professor McGonagall nodded gravely. 'I hear you have some news for us.'
'I do.' Harry then cleared his thoughts and began speaking. 'Earlier, just as we were about to eat lunch, we felt the house shake, I looked out the window to see what happened and saw Death Eaters out on the lawn. I went outside and faced them, most of them were young trainees. But there were 10 of them that were older and more powerful, among them was Draco Malfoy, Rodulphus and Rebastion Lestrange, Macnair and… Snape.' He waited here until everyone had settled down. 'Its true, I didn't know he was here till the last fight, he hit me with the Imperius Curse and left me in that state whilst he told me some things… He said that he had proved his loyalty to Voldemort, he became an Elemental like Hermione, and he was also the one who killed Cenius. I'm sorry professor Flitwick.' Harry said sadly looking at his charms professor, who looked murderous.
'I always had a feeling about Severus, ever since I taught him when he was younger. I'll get him, I swear on Cenius's grave I'll get him.' The tiny man said heatedly.
'You don't have to worry professor, I've already done it. I killed him as he tried to kill me. He's out on the front lawn, that's why I called you all here. There are still some Death Eaters out there who are captured, unconscious… or dead. I just thought I'd let you guys know first, what really happened to Snape.' He said looking at each and every one of them.
Filius Flitwick moved first, he got off his chair and walked over to Harry, placing his small rough hand on his shoulder. He kept it there, before he finally pulled away and walked out, probably to pay his respects to Snape. Kingsley was next to go, followed closely by Hagrid who patted Harry comfortingly on the back, leaving Harry alone with McGonagall and the Granger's.
'Like Filius, I also always had a feeling which way Severus would choose. It is a shame to see him take the wrong way. Try and enjoy the rest of your day Harry. I'll tell Albus when he gets back but I have no doubt that he'll want to talk to you tomorrow.' McGonagall said softly before she too followed the rest of her staff and went outside.
'Go back and get lunch set back up Hermione, I want to go and fix up the house. I'll be back in shortly.' Harry then went out the back door and started cast advanced repairing spells on nearly every part of the house. When it was all done he said good bye to his teachers, took down the muggle repelling charms and made his way over to the people that had been under the Imperius.
'Enneverate.' Slowly the four wizards began waking up.
'Are you alright?' Harry asked tiredly.
'Y-Yes, what happened?' One of them asked.
'You were under the Imperius curse. Now where do you live? I'll make a Portkey so you can get back home.' Harry then made the portkeys and watched as the four confused wizards popped out of view. He then made his way back into the house. Once inside he made his way into the dinning room and smiled warmly at the concerned looks he was getting.
'I'm alright. Let's just forget this whole thing ever happened and spend the rest of the day like we were meant to. Happily.' Harry then leaned over and kissed Hermione softly on the cheek before he helped himself to some food, not eating much, but who could after seeing what he had seen today.
They did what they set out to do and made their way back to Hogwarts around tea time. Just as professor McGonagall was telling the students about professor Snape, leaving out Harry's name of course but that didn't stop him getting suspicious looks from some of the student body.
'Do you know what happened to Snape?' Ron whispered across the table at Harry, who was about to say something when Hermione spoke for him.
'Later.' She snapped and then went back to eating her own dinner which, Harry was happy to notice, was being shovelled down viciously.
After dinner Harry apparated to his room and waited for Hermione. He didn't feel like listening to Hermione speak of the events of that day. He just wanted to forget. But he found out that no matter how hard he tried, he suffered from an old soldiers misery… you could never forget.
So he just showered again, and hoped into bed.
About 30 minutes later he heard Hermione come in, she didn't say anything, but grabbed her towel and nightie and went into the bathroom coming out another 10 minutes later with her hair damp and her frail form showing. She jumped into bed beside Harry and snuggled up to him.
'It's nearly here Hermione. The end of this war is coming and…' He trailed off.
'And?' Hermione asked.
'And I don't know if I can make it through.' He admitted dejectedly.
'You will Harry, you'll see. And when it's all over and when Voldemort is finally dead you and I will be together… forever.'
Harry turned shining eyes towards her and smiled.
'Together… forever. I like the sound of that.' He moved in closer and touched their foreheads together.
'Me too.' Hermione replied and she watched protectively as Harry fell to sleep. When she was certain that he was she moved up and kissed his lightening bolt scar tenderly.
'Good night Harry.'
Flyin Eagle